Visual typesetter

ABSTRACT

A device and method for setting copy comprising placing various copy, in the form of indicia-bearing material, half-tones, or other art work, onto a translucent plaque having an electrostatic charge thereon. The copy is capable of carrying the electrostatic charge such that it is removably positioned thereon yet maintains the desired position until further processing. A photographic sheet is then placed over the pre-arranged copy and exposed to light transmitted through the translucent plaque whereupon a positive or negative is formed. The sheet is then used in lithography, typography, engraving, silk screen printing, sign making and similar technologies which utilize photographic sheets.

Cuenca 51 June 5,1973

[54] VISUAL TYPESETTER [76] Inventor:

Circle, Tampa, Fla. 33614 [22] Filed: Mar. 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No.:121,796

Eduardo Cuenca, 273s Bel-Aire Primary Examiner-John M. l-IoranAttorney-Stefan M. Stein [57] ABSTRACT A device and method for settingcopy comprising placing various copy, in the form of indicia-bearingmaterial, half-tones, or other art work, onto a translucent plaquehaving an electrostatic charge thereon. The copy is capable of carryingthe electrostatic charge such that it is removably positioned thereonyet maintains the desired position until further processing. Aphotographic sheet is then placed over the pre-arranged copy and exposedto light transmitted through the translucent plaque whereupon a positiveor negative is formed. The sheet is then used in lithography,typography, engraving, silk screen printing, sign making and similartechnologies which utilize photographic sheets.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 VISUAL TYPESETTER BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a deviceand method for setting copy and producing photographic sheets or platestherefrom by utilizing the principal of electrostatic attraction whichallows arrangement and maintenance of said copy on a translucent plaquein a desired position. A photographic sheet, which may act as a positiveor a negative in further processing, is then exposed to said copy bytransmitting light through the plaque.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many techniques exist for making sheetsor plates for lithography, typography, engraving, silk screen printing,sign or poster manufacture and the like. The majority of these, however,involve a slow, expensive process.

Previously in lithography, a linotype machine was used to cast type.Then the type was set and a plate made therefrom for subsequent use inthe printing press.

Phototypsetting then came into use wherein strips of copy were adheredto a base sheet, using wax, glue or adhesive tape. The sheet with thecopy thereon was then photographed and the negative therefrom used tomake a printing plate, actually a positive metal lithograph plate.

Typography and engraving involve variations in the above techniques.

In silk screen printing, the negative made by photographing the set copyis used to make a mat. The mat is then placed on the silk screen toblock desired portions of the screen against paint, dye or inktransmission. Subsequently, paint, dye or ink is forced through theunblocked areas in the screen. The prohibitive cost of producing themat, especially when an'intricate design is involved, and the relativelyshort wearability of the paint, dye or ink on the sign or poster makessilk screening a relatively expensive method of duplication and it isused sparingly.

In sign or poster manufacture, a dye transfer technique is alsofrequently used. Here a dye containing photographic positive is placedon a dye absorbing mat. The dye is then transferred to abase'sheet madeof glass, plastic, paper, etc. and the base sheet used to print the signor poster. Expensive apparatus and intricate procedures are involvedmaking it too costly for every day low-coat sign or postermanufa'cture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a visualtype-setter A device and method for visually setting copy utilizing theother art work, is then set, by the operator, on the plaque. Theelectrostatic charge on the plaque not only maintains the copy in thedesired position, but also allows the operator to rearrange the copy ifnecessary. Aids such as a dummy layout sheet or grid may first be laidon the plaque and covered with a transparency. Alternatively, theelectrostatic attraction between the copy and the aids and the plaquemay be established by placing an electrostatic charge on the copy ratherthan on the plaque. A lighting system contained within the interior ofthe housing is then used to accomplish exposure of a photographic sheetwhich is laid over the copy.

This invention accordingly comprises the several steps and relation ofone or more of such steps with respect to each of the others and theapparatus embodying features of construction, combination of elements,and arrangement of parts which are adapted to effect such steps, all asexemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of theinvention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of thenature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to thefollowing detailed description taken in combination with theaccompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the visual typesetter.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the electrostatic plaque with various copyplaced thereon.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the plaque showing the next step in theprocess with a photographic sheet placed over the copy.

FIG. 4 is a view of the photographic sheet with the copy reproducedthereon.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the plaque and copy material arrangedthereon in a removably fixed relation through the use of anelectrostatic field.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The visual typesetter device ofthe present invention is shown generally in FIG. 1. It comprises ahousing 12 mounted on four support legs 14, l6, l8 and 20. The

housing encloses a conventional lighting system (not shown). A plaque22, capable of being electrostatically charged is mounted on the topsurface 24 of the housing 12. It is preferably made of a translucentmaterial, such as frosted glass. As shown schematically in FIG. 5 anelectrical circuit which may include including timer switch 28, chargesthe plaque 22 so that an elecinvention comprises a housing on which ismounted a .translucentplaque. The plaque is capable of being chargedwith'staticelectricity. Copy, preferably in the form of sheets or stripsof transparent or translucent plastic sheet with 'indicia formedthereon, such as letters of any given style or configuration orhalf-tones or trostatic field is created. More specifically anelectrostatic charge generating means 29 is electrically connected toplaque 22 by conductor means 31; Timer switch 28 may be inserted in thecircuit as shown-and can also be connected to the light system tosimulta-' neously actuate the light system as discussed below. Conductor33 may lead to an applicable power source. Copy 30 is then set on theplaque in a desired arrangement. The copy 30, as shown, may be in theform of indicia-bearing miniature transparent placards. However, strips,sheets, etc. with other copy thereon, such as half-tones or other artwork may also be used. For ready access, the copy may be stored on racks32 extending upwardly from the rear of housing 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the copy 30 is maintained on the plaque inits set arrangement by the attraction of electrostatic field 34 ofplaque 22. The electrostatic field is strong enough to maintain the copy30 inJthe set arrangementonplaque 22 but is weak enough to allow anoperator to rearrange or remove the copy to -form any given layout. Inthe alternative, the copy 30 may be electrostatically charged so that itadheres to the plaque 22.

After the copy has been arranged to create the desired configuration, aphotographic sheet 36 is placed on plaque 22 over the copy 30 (FIG. 3).Sheet 36 is then exposed for a predetermined length of time by settingand actuating timer switch 28 to energize photograph activating lightbehind plaque 22. Switch 28 may be electrically connected in the circuitcomprising the electrostatic charge generating means 29 so as to firstactuate the generating means 29 and then, when the copy 30 is set asdesired, the light source may be actu ated through the timer switch orby separate controls or the like, which may be mounted on the switchitself for convenience. Switch 28 may be further electrically connectedto both generating means 29 and the light source so as to automaticallyde-activate them simultaneously after they have been operatingconcurrently as described above. The sheet 36 is then developed and usedin the particular duplication process being employed.

To aid in arranging the copy, a grid 38 covered by a transparent film 40may first be laid on the plaque. If desired, film 40 may beelectrostatically charged so that it can be removed from the plaque withthe copy adheringthereto. This film 40 with the adhered copy may then beused for other duplication methods such as silk screen or offsetprinting.

lt will thus be seen that the objects made apparent from the precedingdescription are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may bemade in the carrying out of the above process, in the described product,and

in the construction set forth without departing from the scope of theinvention, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription and shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpretedas illustrative andnot in a limiting sense. it is also to be understoodthat the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic andspecific features of the invention herein described, and all statementsof the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might besaid to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described,

What is claimed is:

l. A visual typesetter comprising: a housing, a light permeable plaquemounted on said housing capable of carrying an electrostatic charge, anelectrostatic charge generating means mounted on said housing andelectrically connected to said plaque for generating an electrostaticcharge thereon, copy arranged on said plaque, said copy being formed ofa material capable of adherence to said plaque when subjected to anelectrostatic charge, a lighting system within said housing capable oftransmitting activating light through said plaque, a lighting systemactivating means and a timer switch, said timer switch electricallyconnected to said electrostatic charged generating means and saidactivating means electrically connected to said lighting system, wherebysaid electrostatic charge generating means may be activated for apredetermined time period and concurrent with said lighting system.

2. The visual typesetter of claim 1 wherein said copy comprisesminiature transparent placards being stored on a rack extending fromsaid housing.

3. The visual typesetter of claim 1 further including a transparent filmmounted on said plaque and being thereto after said copy is arranged onsaid typesetter. =0:

1. A visual typesetter comprising: a housing, a light permeable plaquemounted on said housing capable of carrying an electrostatic charge, anelectrostatic charge generating means mounted on said housing andelectrically connected to said plaque for generating an electrostaticcharge thereon, copy arranged on said plaque, said copy being formed ofa material capable of adherence to said plaque when subjected to anelectrostatic charge, a lighting system within said housing capable oftransmitting activating light through said plaque, a lighting systemactivating means and a timer switch, said timer switch electricallyconnected to said electrostatic charged generating means and saidactivating means electrically connected to said lighting system, wherebysaid electrostatic charge generating means may be activated for apredetermined time period and concurrent with said lighting system. 2.The visual typesetter of claim 1 wherein said copy comprises miniaturetransparent placards being stored on a rack extending from said housing.3. The visual typesetter of claim 1 further including a transparent filmmounted on said plaque and being formed of a material capable of beingcharged with an electrostatic charge to cause adherence of said copythereto after said copy is arranged on said typesetter.